Is there a time limit for prosecuting money laundering in the UAE?
No. Under the 2025 AML Law, criminal proceedings for money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing do not lapse by prescription, and the penalties imposed for these crimes do not extinguish with the passage of time. Civil actions arising from or connected to these crimes are likewise free of any limitation period.
In practice this means a money laundering case can be opened at any point, regardless of how long ago the underlying conduct took place. Historical transactions can be revisited years or even decades later if fresh evidence emerges. The absence of a statute of limitations is one of the most consequential reforms in the new law and aligns the UAE with international expectations on financial crime enforcement.
For regulated entities, this raises the importance of sound record keeping. Documents that establish what due diligence was performed, and why a transaction was or was not reported, may be needed long after a business relationship ends. Retaining complete and well organised records protects the business if past activity is later examined.
Legal Reference (UAE):
ยท Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 37 provides that criminal proceedings and penalties for money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing do not lapse by prescription
For more details, consult the full text of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.